Outdoor Living

Victorian revamp

Like the look of the gaslight era but don't want to overdo it? Mix in modern pieces

A modern wingback and chinoiserie chairs lend eclectic charm.

Photograph by: Design By Lori Graham Design
, National Post

Hi Jeffrey, My husband and I recently purchased a Victorian row house with the typical long narrow rooms. Interestingly enough, we're both drawn to a more modern aesthetic but the house is in a good neighbourhood and we paid below market value. We're not looking to renovate just yet, but would love any ideas you might have to help with the dining room as we do entertain frequently. The room has a non-working fireplace, medium-toned hardwood floors and high ceilings. We are open to colour suggestions, keeping in mind neither of us loves the colour red.

Thank you for your help. - Lydia

A big congratulations to you and your husband for purchasing a house below market value. Not always an easy thing to do.

Years ago, I lived in a Victorian row house in Toronto and I had a dining room exactly as you described: long and narrow with a non-working fireplace. It seems typical for houses of this time period. Because it didn't have a lot of natural light, I painted the room - including the ceiling - dark, rich navy. I was on a budget, so I placed pillar candles in the fireplace and a mirror above the mantel. Voilà, instant atmosphere.

Though I loved that room, if I were to decorate the very same space today (or yours) I would take inspiration from the dining room pictured above, designed by Lori Graham (lorigrahamdesign.com). Though this photo shows only a snippet of the room, I find its chic, subtle mixing of modern and traditional elements very inspiring.

First let's talk about the colour scheme - it's not red, so that should win points with you and your husband. It is, however, an extremely sophisticated greyand-coral colour palette with black accents. I find this interesting because the colour combination is reminiscent of the Art Deco period, yet that's really the only nod to Deco, other than the use of black and white photography.

The colours were pulled from the rug, which anchors the room in a traditional feel, and then on top of it is a modern dark wood table with stainless steel details. Ms. Graham has placed chinoiserie-painted dining chairs with a strong Asian feel around the table and then to shake it up further, covered modernstyled wingback chairs in coral-coloured leather with upholstery tack trim. I love, love, love the mixing of all these styles with the expertise of a curator's eye.

The fireplace mantle is carved marble - again paying tribute to traditional with a transitional-style mirror placed over it. If you have the original mantle in your dining room, it would be great if you could work with it. Alternatively, check antique and consignment shops for one as elegant as we see in this photo. If running a gas line to your fireplace is an option, that would be worthwhile; otherwise, electrical or ethanol-fuelled fireplaces are a great way to add warmth and atmosphere. Or there's always the tried-and-true pillar candle idea I mentioned earlier. If you do this, place a piece of mirror in the firebox to reflect your candles - and consider using flameless battery-operated pillars.

I hope you and your husband find this dining room as interesting and inspirational as I do. I believe it perfectly demonstrates worthwhile ideas for how to make your Victorian dining room appear updated and modern. In fact, I wish I had mine to do over again.

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